Science of Identity Foundation


The Science of Identity Foundation is a religious organization based in Hawaii, United States, founded by Chris Butler in 1977.

Early history

Butler gained followers after founding the Haiku Meditation Center in 1969. He joined the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in 1970, but after Prabhupada's death, Butler broke away from ISKCON and founded SIF.
SIF was initially known as the Hari Nama or Holy Name Society. In 1977, Butler estimated the group had 1,000 devotees throughout the world. Butler had a late-night television show called "Chris Butler Speaks" on Channel 13 in the 1980s.

Theology

The organization combines the teaching of yoga and other aspects of Vaishnava Hinduism. Although grounded in Hinduism, Butler has said of the SIF philosophy of Bhakti yoga, "It does not conflict with Christianity, with Islam, with any bona fide religious system. We're trying to teach the essence of Bhakti yoga without having anybody say 'Oh that's Hindu' or 'Oh that's Christian'." The teachings are similar to those of Prabhupada: that human beings are "sparks" of God whose sole purpose is to please the Lord.
Followers must practice vegetarianism and are not allowed to drink alcohol, smoke, have illicit sex, or gamble.